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Do you think your police department has a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol?
Think again.
Many suburban Chicago departments actually have clauses in their union contracts which prevent any kind of discipline for officers with substantial amounts of alcohol in their systems -- even those nearing the state definition of legally drunk, an investigation by the Better Government Association and NBC Chicago reveals.
Read original story, watch video on NBCChicago.com
"I worry about it every day," said Sam Pulia, the mayor of west suburban Westchester, Ill.
Pulia, himself a former Westchester police officer, tried unsuccessfully to stop ratification of his department’s union contract which only allows discipline against officers when they hit an alcohol level of .05.
"I could argue that you are half-drunk," Pulia said. "I still believe that police officers are held to a higher standard."
Pulia argues that no one with alcohol in their systems should be driving a squad car or carrying a gun. And he thinks it sends the wrong message to officers to set a number which could be perceived as an allowable limit.
Westchester is not alone. Other Illinois police officers in Forest Park, Glendale Heights, and South Barrington also have a limit of .05. In Elmwood Park and Oak Park, the limit is the state definition of legally drunk: .08 or higher.
NBCChicago.com
Click to see enlarged image.
"I think it places the city at great risk," said Walter Zalisko, a retired police chief who now runs Police Management Consultants International in Fort Myers, Fla. "Zero would be the wise choice, that you can’t have any alcohol."
But how much alcohol really is too much? Although the Illinois State Police and Cook County Sheriff have set their limits at zero, many police departments say they believe some low limits must be built in to allow for incidentals such as a glass of wine at dinner before the overnight shift or even a shot of cough medicine.
"People who are more used to drinking will have less impairment," said Dr. David Zich of Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. "However, we still believe in subtle testing, that there really is no safe level at which no impairment occurs."
Indeed, Zich says scores of studies have indicated that even at lower blood alcohol levels, some kind of impairment occurs -- especially regarding drowsiness, tasks requiring divided attention, or "tracking" activities, which would include driving a car.
"There have literally been hundreds of studies since the 1950s," Zich said. "Even at low levels, you cannot reliably perform without impairment."
James Fell agrees. Fell is a senior research scientist for the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation in Calverton, Md., and he says "impairment, and especially impairment for driving, starts at the first drink."
Fell’s organization conducted a study which found drivers 21 and older, with a blood alcohol level of .02 to .049, were three to four times more likely to be involved in a fatal single-vehicle crash.
Even the state’s own definition of "legally drunk" seems to be in the minority, when compared to other nations around the world. Among countries responding to a World Health Organization study, 28 percent set their blood alcohol content (BAC) limit at zero to .03. Another 39 percent set limits between .04 and .06. Only 26 percent of the nations surveyed have adopted higher limits.
While Pulia expressed outrage at his community’s standard, his police chief insisted that even if she can’t discipline an officer for blood alcohol levels below .05, she won’t let them get in a squad car.
"We’ve never had a problem," said chief April Padalik. "We would follow policy and procedure, and that employee would be removed from duty."
Padalik indicated the officer would be sent home. Pulia said he found that idea encouraging, but that he still believed such officers should be disciplined.
"Paying someone a salary for being sent home for consuming alcohol certainly does not sit well with me or the public who ultimately bear the costs," he said. "Alcohol/drugs and cops don’t mix."
Officials in Oak Park and Elmwood Park, where the limit was set at .08, insist they likewise would not tolerate an officer with lower levels of alcohol, even if they can’t discipline him for showing up at work in an impaired condition.
"If those test results come in in anything greater than zero, we are not going to put that officer on the street," said Paul Volpe, the Elmwood Park Village Manager. "We have a zero tolerance policy."
Volpe said the officer would likely be put on desk duty.
The Chicago Police Department sets its blood alcohol limit at .02. This week, the City of Chicago agreed to a $4.1 million settlement, payable to the family of a man shot by a police officer who reportedly had been drinking prior to his shift.
NBCChicago.com
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Ah... to be a union member in Chicago......and answer to no one for anything.
Wonder how many are high instead.
What do you expect.
A. Unions are involved
B. It's Chicago.
What does "Half Drunk" mean anyway?
Consider that the legal limit for driving is .08%, not 0%, so I guess it's legal to drive "Half Drunk" also.
What if they had back pain and were prescribed Vicodin? Would that be any different than being "Half Drunk"?
I remember one time I was shore fishing with my father off of Montrose Harbor. After we were done & walking back to my vehicle, we noticed a Chicago Police car parked in the park area. There were 2 of Chicago's finest in the patrol car just having a time of their lives smoking a joint & drinking beer. I bet these officers are just proud to protect the fine citizen's of Chicago. My father & I just continued walking, shaking our heads. Love the standards that are upheld in this city. No wonder why Chicago is a cesspool that it is.
Don't forget that it is ILLEGAL TO BE IN POSSESSION of a firearm while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Just another example of one of our 30,000+ gun laws being ignored.
Get real people. An alcohol level of .04 is essentially nothing despite some pathological studies and their conclusions. As a matter of fact, such a low level would completely dissipate through the body's normal metabolic rate within around an hour or less.
Slow news day at nbc, eh?
This explains alot even beyond Chicago. Add in the tough to trace prescription pills and you have a Zombie with a 14 shot semi-automatic pistol and a badge to get away with murder.
I am going to ask my boss if I can be half drunk next week, most of the time he is reasonable.........
WTF, so your telling me that if there is a hostage situation, and some hostage is being held at gun point, and a split second opportunity for the cop to shot the kidnapper presents itself, the cop could be drunk? How much F'n sense does that make? Drink when your off duty, and F the jerks who allowed this happen in the first place! Unions suck ass!
Forget the amount, or whether they are legally half drunk or not.
This was negotiated in a UNION CONTRACT.......................
I thought unions were suppossed to make it more safe to be at work?????
Is "half drunk" anything like "buzz driving?" I seem to remember some [hypocrite] cops doing an PSA about that.
So is it half drunk... half a$$... or both? evidently it doesn't really matter in Chicago.
FAA regulations stipulate that you cannot operate an airplane (of any kind, even a Cessna) with a blood alcohol level of .04 and above AND no alcohol can be consumed in the prior 8 hours (as the saying goes, 8 hours bottle to throttle).
I would posit that an armed individual with a license to kill or maim, poses an equal or greater threat to the public. Why not adopt the FAA rules as a national standard for police as well?
So those charts are saying that none of these branches ever drinkg to be over 0.08? LOL
"Da Bears"
I guess this answers the question why there is too much crime in Chicago and the answer is most of their cops are drunk and don't give a shi$.
So I guess the police in the Chicago area feel that they are above the law. After all, the law says that it is illegal for anyone under the influence of alcohol to carry a firearm. Maybe they should get FBI or BATFE agents to go in arrest any Chicago police officers with alcohol in their systems. The idea that any police force would allow officers out on the street in an impaired condition is unacceptable. Your reflexes may be OK to drive a car under normal conditions with your BAC at .04, but I doubt your reaction time is good enough to drive in a high speed pursuit with a BAC at that level. By allowing these officers out on the street they are putting the public at an unacceptable risk.
LOL.......A badge on my chest, a gun in my holster, a couple of sips of wine....
I told ya'll I was God, with a badge and a gun!!!!!
When will you learn.
Go Chicago...half drunk police, illegal immigrants with drivers licenses and teachers making over $80k a year...
Do as I say not as I do ....
Just shows you how retarded libs are.. They ONLY want cops to be able to carry a firearm yet this rule is written right into their contract... And NO I am not a republican either, they have their own faults too. People need to get off of their my side vs theirs and just VOTE these as's out of office... no matter WHO they are.
This is First news now? How about when they first toyed with the laws making it illegal to drive with a certain alcohol amount in your system? We could have used you're support to have the standard set higher than it is. This standard should be raised back to .1 because it (the law) has been around for a while and people are more educated. I'm more worried about my co-worker being too buzzed on paint fumes at work, but my employer and OSHA says it's safe.... People leaving the bar at closing time sure can walk a straighter line...
So they want to take our gun so we can be protected by half drunk cops!!
No wonder there where 500 MURDERS there last year!
I wonder what the union says about DRUGS... How much cocaine can they take? How much METH?
When the left runs things> things fall apart!
myname123
"libs" are not opposed to cops in schools, but conservatives offer NO way to pay for it. We can't even get the 'conservatives' to pay for more teachers, better school facilities, books, and lunches.
As for this story... One side, yes, no one wants to have a half drunk cop on duty, and the union protecting them makes no sense to me. I can't show up for work half drunk in the private sector and keep my job. On the other side, I wonder how many of these cops are 'off duty' and suddenly called "into duty" after their regular schedule ends. Perhaps the city should say "Sorry, if you have been drinking, you cannot come into work, period, no MATTER what the situation is.
@Wet Willy
Seriously? I don't care how quickly it's out of your system or how much it would or wouldn't impact someone, you mean you're okay with an officer stopping in a bar between calls for a beer or a shot? Come on. You must work for this union.
A couple of good knee jwerks right at the top iof the board. Unions have, throughout History, been responsible for minimum age as well as Wage laws. Have fought against hired thugs just so they could do their work. So, I don't really understand the mechanism that could make a guy making 10 million as yyeat to be jealous of someone making 15. and hour. I guesss that's why Romney went down to defeat -BTW Q> WHen is 47 per cent more than half?
A.) In the 2012 Presidential election.
Oh they answer to somebody, and chances are he has an Italian name.
Well you wouldn't want their hands to be shaking when they're pointing that gun at you...
zero tolerance for all those jobs on the two charts.
Chicago & the surrounding area, Obama's hometown. A shining city on a hill & a fine example to the rest of the world. ROFLMAO
1. Former home of Al Capone
2. 506 homicides in 2012, yet they have some of the strictest gun laws for civilians in the country
3. Now half drunk cops in the surrounding communities, who are protected by union contracts
That entire area is a total joke. Oh yeah & lets not forget 2 former state governors in prison. Or was it 3? Who can keep track of it all. LOL
Oneslackr
and just, how many years did Obama live in Chicago? Can you tell us? I am guessing it was maybe 4 years. So any more foolish attempts to make this 'OBAMA's FAULT" are pathetic.
How many ex REPUBLICAN and DEMOCRATS from Congress are not in prison.
Yawn.
myname123
This is exactly where you lost me in your entire comment. When are you going to stop making general statements about the entire left? Course, to you, anyone that doesn't agree with your comments and views 100000000% must be a leftist or a liberal.
I believe Unions had (HAD) a place and time in America. In many circumstances, I feel the unions are NO LONGER required. The instance that you provided, are prime examples of "FRAUD" activity, but that doesn't mean ALL UNION members or UNIONS are that way. Yesterday, you chided me on using 'an extreme' example on rape, and here you are using an 'extreme' example for unions. Be careful to drink from the cup of hypocrisy.
Schools are there to educate the youth of America. If that means more jobs need to be created to do that, so be it. It's called student/teacher ratio to ensure quality of education. Jobs should not be created in the public sector for the sake of creating a job, it should be there because it's NEEDED.
If we are going to pay for schools, then yes, one way is to ELIMINATE welfare fraud across the board. That includes social, CORPORATE, UNION, and Military welfare a like. Teachers are NOT paid nearly enough for the job they do. Why don't you share with us what a teacher should be paid. If they are also required to carry a gun, then they should be paid even more. Should teachers not get retirement benefits? What kind of medical insurance are the entitled too? Keep in mind, the education of our youth will be reflected based upon your thoughts... pay teachers a crappy salary, and look at what you will get.
The sheep are herded and doing just what they are suppose to lol world is crazy nuts
Possession of a firearm goes against all Safety Training the NRA teaches.
myname123
Once again, laughing....
According to your logic.... what % does that make of all workers that belong to a union...
What should a janitor be paid? Please share with us what their avg salary is. Should they have medical benefits? Any retirement?
Texas already has teachers that carry guns.. and some districts have made it a requirement.
Do you really think that happens, what is the %?? I believe you only get what you pay in and with a 'reasonable' match.
What benefits should they receive, simple question
I'm from iowa, and we have the highest graduation rates in the entire nation. We also pay our teachers accordingly.
Reading with comprehension escapes you. I already said how we could pay for guns in schools. You missed it.
I had a real argument then (which you couldn't respond to without childish insults and name calling) and I have one now. Shaking head, drinking from the cup of hypocrisy....
@ James-546195-1049965 post 1.1
And after only 30 years of Reganomics we see what non union has done for this country. Blaming Unions for the fall of the middle class if that is what you are doing is like blaming the Rich for lower prices.
The allowed blood/alcohol level for a CHL holder in Texas...... ZERO
Unions are the azzhole of society today. They were once useful when there was no OSHA, minimum wage, or age limit/requirements for certain jobs. Now we have controls in place that make unions pretty much a waste of space. Now all they do is cause problems and bleed companies dry. Does a person working at a car assembly plant standing pushing buttons all day really need to make $80-100k? Or how about the Airplane union throwing a hissyfit about the New plane being mfg in SC? Shut down mfg until they got something in return for the new plane being built else where. Shutting down entire school systems because they don't want to contribute to their pensions or healthcare programs, and also demand 15% pay raise over the next 3 years. Not to mention all the lazy workers that take advantage of the contracts, and don't perform their jobs yet rake in great money. Get rid of unions and our country will start to prosper again.
Oh I forgot about the union that went on strike and forced the shut down of an entire company.
RIP Twinkies
myname123
Again, reading with comprehension:
Essentially, anyone that doesn't agree 100% with your comments or views is a 'liar', a leftist, a liberal, and not worth talking to. You fit the mold of the teaparty perfectly. I'll stay a moderate democrat that is capable of seeing the real truth.
Dawgfan-4710266
RIP Twinkies (Hostess) hmmmm, While the CEOS had 3 bankruptcies in 5 years, asked for even more concessions from the workers, but did not take a cut in their own pay... it was ALL the unions fault. Keep on believing that. While an honest worker a hostess lost their entire 401k, and the executive management walked out with their salary and all their benefits. This is one case where management failed to run a company properly and instead of them taking cuts (along with the workers) the entire company suffered.
It'sabouttime,
Workers did not lose their 401(k) that they paid into, that would be theft.
From the hostess website-
The Wind Down will not impact the money you already invested in your 401(k) account or your right to your benefits under the plan. The money invested in your 401(k) account is held in a trust on your behalf. Creditors of Hostess Brands have no legal right to take money from your 401(k) account. You will cease making contributions to the 401(k) plan after your termination of employment and any unvested amounts in your 401(k) account will be forfeited. You should contact the Recordkeeper, Principal, to discuss any questions regarding distributions from your 401(k) account and treatment of any outstanding loans.
Former employees of Hostess with an existing 401k account with Principal Financial Group can contact customer service at 1-800-547-7754 to request a distribution/rollover of their existing account. Terminated participants with a balance of $200 or less will have their accounts cashed out immediately and will receive a distribution check in the mail. Terminated participants with a balance above $200, but less than $1,000, will receive a benefit event letter and distribution paperwork from Principal that will provide them with all their available options. Terminated participants with a balance of $1,000 or more will receive a benefit letter from Principal that will explain all of their available options. These participants will need to contact Principal to request distribution paperwork.
The Executive management kept their salary, because many of them were kept on for the shut down of the company. You don't need hourly workers around when nothing is being manufactured, but you do need the executives around to clean up all the financial ends. Hostess did have 3 bankruptcies, but that was because they couldn't meet the demands of the unions, along with rising operating expenses, but to say it's all the executives fault is preposterous.
myname123
Umm.. I do agree with Obama on many things, but certainly not on others. I asked you to provide a % of how many union workers out of the THOUSANDS of union workers commit frauds and are protected. You couldn't provide it. Which means, its an EXTREME example and not relative to ALL Unions.
You simply don't like any union period.
The unions took CONCESSIONS after each and every single bankruptcy from hostess. Do your homework.
Dude, I work in the private sector, I don't get paid for my birthday as a holiday unless I take it. Can you show me how many union employees get paid for their birthday as a holiday? As far as I am concerned, companies/unions should agree on holidays and that's what people get.
Dawgfan-4710266
http://www.alternet.org/corporate-accountability-and-workplace/twinkie-ceo-admits-company-took-employees-pensions-and-put-it
Twinkie CEO Admits Company Took Employees Pensions and Put It Toward Executive Pay
Try again. The GREED of the Hostess Management is a HUGE contributing factor to the fall of that company
No chicago school teacher since their union is the most vile and corrupt of any, they probably let them smoke pot.
Chicago is the armpit of America... I lived there for a few years... never again!
Hey you crybabies, If you don't like it, just stay out of Chicago, do everyone a favor.
did any one of you read the story.
0.05.. .That is not half drunk. That is half way to the legal limit, but no where's near drunk.
But i see some of ya's couldn't help but union bash.. .05 is maybe 2 beers tops in an hour.
This story is complete hogwash...
nobody here would be half drunk at 0.05....,
Not saying all police are bad but Chicago does have a lot of sh-t bag officers. I grew up with some kids that were pretty crazy; drinking, fighting, drugs, etc every weekend. Most of those guys are now Chicago cops. You want to see something really wild, come to Chicago on St. Paddys day and watch how many cops are drinking. I was at a fine establishment about 3 years ago doing the usually Paddys day routine, two stools opened up next to me and sure enough to CPD's plop down next to me. I thought they were going to order lunch........no dice, shots of Jameson and beers. They had probably three beers and two shots and left. I know now all the little monday morning QB's will start with the "why didnt you write down their badge number", if you say that you obviously know nothing of Chicago.
Unions are "Commie's" blah blah. Tired old trope. If a desk jockey goes out to eat a meal and has a 12 oz. beer you would fire him? Talk about absolutism and lack of proportion.
As with most cops, and our government it's "DO AS I SAY, NOT AS I DO".
ItsAboutTime,
Pensions are not the same as 401(k). The company stopped making pension contributions in August 2011 after notiying it's employees of it to put towards operations. Read an article from a reliable source, and not one cramed so far up OWS and Obama's rear end that you can't tell where one begins and the other ends. NBC articles look more extreme right compared to some of the garbage on alternet.
Law enforcement corruption, politician corruption, and corporate corruption is now the norm, not the exception.
We are becoming a lawless country.
So Cops are allowed to drive DRUNK while pulling over for Driving Under the Influence.
Curious what kind of message does this give to kids? And we wonder why so many are killed in Chicago>
If the cops drunk then he cannot capture or shot straight as his/her though processes are altered as is their vision!
Remember:
Buzzed policing is Drunk policing
the body gets rid of alcohol at a rate of .015% per hour. So being a .04 would take approximately 2 1/2 hours.
It will take just one accident involving a 'half-drunk' cop and an innocent driver who is killed or maimed that will quickly put an end to this utterly stupid 'clause'! One huge wrongful-death lawsuit should do it.. It's just a matter of time..
You do notice the regular posting mensa's have nothing to say. I'm certain they think this is a republican't conspiracy
Sorry for the spelling and gramar errors. I know the Vine police will be on me about that one.
@ ItsAboutTIme
LOL. Why don't you show me where I said it was Obama's fault. Those are your words not mine. You're being kind of defensive, aren't you?
All I said was that Chicago is Obama's hometown. It figures he calls a city full of crime, corruption, & draconian laws his home.
Btw, your guess about how many years Obama lived in Chicago is completely wrong.
From what I could find Obama lived in Chicago:
1. From 1985 - 1988 working as a community organizer until he enrolled at Harvard.
Prior to this he lived in New York from 1981-1985. He graduated from Columbia in 1983 but stayed in New York to work until 1985.
2. From 1991 - 2008 (when he left for D.C.) - He moved back to Chicago after graduating from Harvard Law School in 1991.
He taught constitutional law at the University of Chicago Law School for 12 years (1992 - 2004). He also served as a state senator for 8 years during that same time.
So that is a total of 20 years or so that he has lived in Chicago & he still calls Chicago his home.
You're not very good at guessing are you?
Damn it! GRAMMAR!!! Sorry all, was out having a couple at lunch with Chicago's Finest.
Right-wing anti-union slugs so stupid they don't deserve to be called human.
ItsAboutTime-3704531 - I fully agree with you! The unions were good to have a while ago, but now not so much. I think personally that congress shouldn't get the free healthcare & pensions that they get, they should have to pay for themselves just like everyone else in this country. I don't think they deserve them. Then the money that goes towards congress can go towards teachers instead.
No resentment should be levied at the unions.
Focus it where it belongs. On the tards that actually agreed to this.
The union rep was overheard saying... "They actually agreed to it?"
JimD,
Huh? So the CPD is not part of a union? Can you please tell me what good unions are in todays society with so many laws on the books to protect workers? And yes I know we have the unions to thank for that but their time has past and they are now just a burden on the tax payers. They are a burden because of all the shady deals that the tax payers get stuck with.
ok, so the FBI or BATFE have the whole chicago police force lined up, they go down the line saying, ok sir, please breath in this for me, and by the time they finish they have to send every cop on duty home and when they try to call in replacements they find out that all of them are a full drunk instead of half. SOOO FU@#ING SAD WHAT WE'VE COME DOWN TO.
Mynameis123,
I'm just guessing. Your state is R.I.?
Once you past 30 post, you ignore the rest, yet people will still post to absolutely no one reading the post anymore. IF, your still reading this, shouldn't these "Allowances" in ANY police contract, throw OUT ALL, DWI"s? Or are the renegade COPS, ABOVE the law? NOT to uphold the law, but to be ABOVE the law?
It is considered DUI if you have a CDL [commercial drivers license] with a BAC of .04, and cannot drive if over .02, supposedly because they are professionals! How can they have a contract that allows someone with a lessor BAC to be possibly arrested by someone with a higher BAC? These are our employees, and should abide by our rules, not theirs! So much for integrity, and holding them to a higher standard! I know I'll be asking for a DUI test for an officer now, if ever in an accident with one!
Aren't those UNIONS just great for America ? Meanwhile, another Chicago teenager was shot and killed by gang bangers.
Unions are nothing but dinosaurs.
Time for Mr. Emanuel to Man-UP.
Heya Union members, how about asking your Union management how your Union Fees are dispersed.
"Zero Tolerance" should not be a negotiable aspect for employment that is paid with taxpayer dollars and where the the safety and security of the general public (taxi, bus & limosine) is concerned. Whether a person is a police officer, a teacher, a politician or any other local, state of federal employee "Zero Tolerance" should be the standard across the board. Private employers subject their employees and potential employees to drug & alcohol screenings including random testing...this should be the same for all workers of taxpayer dollars, utility workers (phone, gas, electric, satellite & cable). Anyone driving a vehicle or operating machinery should not be allowed to consume alcohol. As for the gun laws pertaining to those who drink...carrying a weapon or travelling with a weapon while consuming or having consumed alcohol should be not be tolerated in any form no matter how minor...as a Federal Law.
Bob fu and myname123, you mean the State (RI) that is run by mafia infestation. For such a little state it is plagued with more insider corruption, manipulation and crime bosses at the local and state levels it is no wonder the state cannot balance a budget. The taxpayer dollars is used to pay off the mob bosses. Have no fear, New Jersey is not that far behind you.
So what can they do? oh that's right...nothing...Its in their contract.
And his blood alcohol level was? oh that's right, they cant divulge that its in the contract.
They may as well put him on a desk, they have to pay him anyway, it is after all in his contract.
Whats wrong with this picture?
And who agreed to this contract?
Waiting...........................
(You righties always seem to think no one on either side had the right to say NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
It is the VOTERS who elected the people who said YES. Look to them.
Yankee Boy
And who are the majority voters who elect Chicago politicians?
Waiting....................
(You lefties can be so pathetic)
I dont know whats scarier; drunk cops with guns or the fact that it is so common they had to deal with it in their contract.
Regardless of what is allowable in OTHER countries, allowing any police officer to report for duty under the influence of alcohol OR drugs is disgusting and unbelievable.
And we wonder why the murder rate in Chicago is completely out of control.
This is disgraceful and quite frankly shocking. It was my understanding that an officer of the law was someone who most likely would lead by example and be a role model, but apparently not in Chicago.
This is surely of greater importance than attempting to remove the guns from the folks that in most cases are also under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
@yankee...a pretty funny stretch for accountability! Maybe we should blame the MOTHERS of the voters who elected the people who said, "Yes?"
Yankee:
So like the left to always blame someone else!! The Dems RUN that crooked town!! The DEMS are the big supporters of corrupt UNIONS those are the FACTS!
,...
These neencowpoops. They have no business drinking before work. How in the name of what is right and proper do cops think they can have a drink and do their job properly? They can't and it's stupid for any police department in any city to allow this kind of disrespect for their jobs and the public.
we had one in boston in the early eighties who used to come into the bar and drink for most of his shift,he was retiring in a few months, didn't want to get killed right before he retired(talked to the old guy alot) them irish cops likes there beer! haha. don't doubt that that would be brought up in their contracts,probably one of the first things written in.
I was out Saturday night. Nice little 600 person town. I walked to the corner bar 4 blocks down. So the cop and his Gf from the other town sit there and get drink after drink after drink. Leave when the bar closed. I walked home. They drove home...
The best policy is not to drive after even a couple or three drinks within a couple hours to start with. Most all states use the 'Legal Limit' (.08) only as the Blood Alcohol Content that requires the officer to arrest you. Just because you are a .06 BAC (or lower) doesn't mean you cannot be arrested. If the officer detects a level below the legal limit, yet believes you cannot function at that level...on go the cuffs. Of course you say you would just fight it out in court...you will still have spent a few thousand dollars on an attorney and other costs even if you win. You do not get your money back if you win.
Remember...if you have taken prescription or OTC meds and they make you sleepy...don't drink anything before you drive. A DWI or DUI conviction will cost you money in more ways than you can possibly believe. Most people convince themselves after drinking that they are fine...and that they will just be sure not to speed...that's fine but you can't control someone causing a wreck you are involved in. There are many ways to be caught...tail or brake light out, the list goes on.
Even under the legal limit, your ability to drive safely is 'subjective' to the officers opinion...at or over the legal limit is not...you are going to jail.
This is an outrage!!!! Why do anything half way? Good morning Scooter, hope all is well.
GM Stonepipe.
But Half....."way"....its the norm.
GM Scooter: In Chicago it's more half "a$$".
Absolutely amazing!
LOL who's making the damn decisions up in Chicago? Something must be in the water. (whiskey maybe?) Chicago where illegals can get a drivers license and cops can drink and drive? What a joke.
No license, no insurance. They're going to drive either way. REALITY CHECK..................
you illegal? related? or an alcoholic?
And what is needed to vote or apply for tons of govt handouts?...oh yeah...a state issued I.D. And Now they have insurance ?....B.S. .... Ever move? All you have to do is show your D.L. and you get a new one in that state. Not to mention get a job. In say...Braidwood Nuke.
All the Illinois law did was turn "undocumented" ILLEGAL immigrants Into "documented" ILLEGAL immigrants
Your right time for a REALITY CHECK........
Funny..... you can be CHARGED with DWI in Illinois if your BAC is between .05 & .08.......
actually , its DUI & it can be applied under any BAC level if you are stopped for any traffic infraction or accident . If you are rear ended & the cop even smells alcohol or sees any percieved impairment , slight slurring of speech , swaying when standing ect ect , the judgement call is the cops to make & a BAC test can be required & a ticket given no matter how low the level is.
No one with a firearm should be consuming any amount of alcohol. This is ridiculous. Just another reason people don't respect or trust the police.
Or the NRA.
yankee boy = progressive idiot response
Hey Yank...what has the NRA done to you? Do you like all the amendments or just the ones that directly effect you? what a dolt...
Wakehead and Yankee Boy,
It is already Illegal to possess a firearm while under the influence.
Dawgfan, unless your union says its ok. ;)
peanut,
The union should be disbanded and the contract throw out as it violates state law. A citizen would be arrested and thrown in jail if they were found under the influence while in possession of alcohol. What can the police be held to the same standards?
What do you expect from a part of the country that is run by Democrats?
This kind of travesty happens all over. While working at a boat store in California, I have seen a Captain of the CHP show up to pick up his new $50,000 boat... and got out of his truck with an open tall boy in his hand, swigging it.
We wonder why many have lost all respect for law enforcement.How is it bizarre to get cited and arrested fro a DUI by an inebriated law enforcement officer.
None of you guys know anything at all about chicago and most of you have not read the whole article and all of you are too stupid to realize either of those things.
Somebody rightwing ahole was actually defending Bush, not only the stupidest, but also the worst president of the last 60 years, including Dickie the Crook, and Ronnie the Senile Traitor.
LMAO. What a fine group of people you have in Chicago. There shouldn't be any level of alcohol allowed, period. Once again the city of Chicago proves that there is absolutely no level of integrity maintained by anyone in government. What a bunch of losers.
Where I work if we come to work with alcohol on our breath we are immediately sent home, do it again we are fired.
Ever wonder why folks do not respect cops, this article explains it well. If I smell alcohol on a cops breath I am calling the cops, an attorney, along with a the news station.
Actually this explains a lot about Chicago's criminal problems. Your cops can be a armed and under the influence. Your drivers can be illegal aliens. Your public enemy #1 is a Mexican drug lord. Most of your politicians wind up in prison. Do none of you see a pattern here?
Wallace, the the worst president ever is from Chicago politics... it all becomes clear now.
Wallace
Don't ask questions that would take common sense to answer, the government in that state has none.
Actually (in)Sane, George Bush was not born in Chicago.
I think Chicago needs their Community Organizer back...pronto!
Oh crap. You had to take it back to national politics.
Bob, no 'comparison' to President GWB! Thank God he was not born in Chicago. Unlike the current President, A community organizer; no business experience, surrounded himself with tax cheats; union thugs; and follows his agenda to 'radically change America' from a 'producer society' to a 'taker society' by 'redistribution of wealth (tax policy)! It's obvious, it's here, and Chicago is a prime example of a liberal-Democratic conrolled city which is a complete failure!
Sane America = a drunken neo-fascist fool.
Try that defense in court. Guess what will happen, unless of course your a cop or have a union lawyer..
Subtle testing ? = copspeak for .....WE can...YOU cant.
When's the last time you heard of a cop getting a speeding ticket?
And the crooks, gang bangers, drug sellers , cops and the rest of the "un-responsible " sing with smiles.
"Chicago---Chicago,,,, my kind of town. Rahm and Gov,,,, you got a good place going there. My only question is where are the people in that state and city that actually have a brain, there must be some someplace.
I'm sure you would have to drink to deal with the crazy public. Crazy crazy people out there.
Finally,
A police state of jack booted drunken thugs enforcing anti-discrimination laws and tax codes while confiscating any self protection devices.
What absolute BS period. Let the outrage begin. What the hell kind of union contract is this? Don't put these cops on a pedistal. How many more similiar police contracts exist in this country? This is total crap.
It's not only the cops - the drunk pilots and truck drivers are pretty scary too.
What a crock of sh!t!
GM Catchick
Unfortunately for the people of Illinois the crock has been overflowing for years. But they must enjoy it, they after all are the ones filling it in the first place.
Actually the downstaters have always been pretty disgusted by chicago too.
It's hard to believe sometimes how entrenched hard drug use is in our culture and its use is codified in this case by the users. Because the majority of people use this drug it will never be regulated.
Another reason I don't like the unions, and strongly distrust the police.
Double standards. Don't do I as I do, just do as I say.
COP: cun I see yaur lisense. Driver: Ok here it is. COP; How do yas spelling yer names aguin, Oh never mind, I gotta take aleak.
What a disgrace!
Are these role models?
of course, after all they are not behind bars...yet...and they are ONLY half drunk.
Why do so many fine, honest, hard working, tax paying citizens dislike the various police forces in this country?
Why even ask this question? You have to realize you only need a high school degree or GED to qualify to strap on a gun and have a badge and all the power that goes with them, the majority of cops are not the brightest lights in the room.
I have an idea, if you ever get stopped and fail a DUI test ask the cop to take it too.
So, Igor - with your superior education and obvious moral superiority, why not join the force and improve it?
Is that the issue? Or is the issue about police covering up for each other for what seems like harmless conduct or minor offense?
Truck drivers have a union, and they are being targeted for one sip while on the job. The question is does a USA government Judge have any job related protocol to qualify a written contract to be legal or to be illegal?
People get the Government that they deserve...Just who elected your officials?....Was It all my fault....What about your Laws?...The Evil Union cannot enforce any contract in violation with the Law?
How about holding your elected officials accountable?...Or did you even bother to vote?..
What do you expect? This is the so-called hometown of Hussein, Rahm, Jesse Jackson, irreverent Wright, Ayres, Blago, Daley, etc. You Reap What You Sow! It's a Long Way DOWN Chicago, but there is a Bottom. It's Called HELL!
Alan - you forgot to mention Daly. Chicago never was a law abiding town.
@avejoetx,
I guess your reading comprehension needs some work. Alan already mentioned Daley. And I don't know if I would be so proud of being from Texas. Course alan can suck it as well. Your arrogance keeps you out of heaven as much as the other heathens you prattle on about. See you in hell, buddy. Bring sun tan lotion.
This is so disgusting that I have no words, that the public tolerates it is even worse.
There are several things that really don't mix well with alcohol:
Good Judgement
Driving
Weapons of any type, and especially firearms
Law Enforcement Officers on duty
Do we really need to say much more on that subject? That the unions have pushed the right to be "half drunk" or even more than drunk if they were pretty much anywhere else is sickening - and oh, so typical of why unions have lost their usefulness today.
Hey 2kmaro- Good posting!!! See mine below...
The cops in Chicago got nothing else to do while on duty...anyway how effective is a sober 350 lb. pot bellied cop...if the cops would just wattle out of the bar ever once in awhile and shoot someone around midnight to 4 am they'd cut down the crime rate so fast the union would take their bullets away from them...
Now that I think of it, after 8 yrs in chicago, I never saw a chicago cop doing anything. Not writing tickets, taping off crime scene; chalking tires, nothing beyond directing traffic at a festival and rousting homeless on the L. Evanston got me once-- oh, they're zero tolerance. Hmmmm.
As a drinker myself, I am a little ok with this one so long as it is just "half" way cuz as we all shoud know depending on if the person has had something to eat cuz just one drink might or could cause a bit of am impairment which at one time I did NOT beleive but its true!!! I almost drove into an oncoming car 2 Christmas Eve's ago & according to me I was "Fine" but if my buddy doesnt point it out which he thought I did see it (I didnt!!) we would most likely have been hit by that car!! So maybe not the one doing the driving but the other officer just a beer!!! No more than I'd say.
Love your satire.